About this episode
This episode of Folk Files takes a departure from folk songs to talk about folk instruments! Learn about the history, ancestors, and etymology of folky string instruments, including the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar! Host: Olivia Harding Special thanks to: Aaron J. Morton Check out Basic Folk: https://basicfolk.com/ Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast?redirect=true Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Ekona Diatta WORK: Gambia SOURCE: https://youtu.be/FHCpjVrGDNk?si=90XYIILixvtyxtMR ARTIST: The Harper and the Minstrel WORK: Cantiga 353 SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVrfqvHVbdU ARTIST: Valentina Nicolai WORK: Il Ballerino SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfx7WcyG5sI ARTIST: Ragnhild Hemsing WORK: Valdresguten SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYSVDG8ZFNw ARTIST: Chris Thile WORK: Jessamyn's Reel SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88q9syere0Q ARTIST: RAVN WORK: In Nature #2 SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cCM04Qvx2w ARTIST: Edward Foster WORK: Ja Nus Hons Pris SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mfDscXoY8A ARTIST: Bernardo de Pace WORK: The Wizard of the Mandolin SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHfQTzDnz9s ARTIST: Rolf Lislevand WORK: Unknown SOURCE: https://youtu.be/jUd_Tl3N3wE?si=X60gcIMUodA_J3wZ ARTIST: Mariachi Juvenil Perla WORK: El Cascabel SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SVCsqs3Vsc ARTIST: Justin Johnson WORK: Justin Johnson Plays the Diddley Bow SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Ic3j7f5GU ARTIST: Miles Caton (Sinners 2025 Soundtrack) WORK: Travelin' SOURCE: https://youtu.be/1hC9X81x7nY?si=xW18W3o91LS2RTEa ARTIST: Sol Hoopii WORK: Palolo SOURCE: https://youtu.be/kPzqjmgi2-I?si=PC7eTQXuaPmCuRce ARTIST: The Lady Victoria WORK: King of the Fairies SOURCE: https://youtu.be/QuYm9wvTvkc?si=v2wN0FT2YmDgk_Rv ARTIST: Frontier Culture Museum WORK: O du lieber Augustine SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTAtHhG7H6A ARTIST: Joni Mitchell WORK: California (Live) SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5BnE5_lPqE ARTIST: Scott Marshall WORK: Unknown SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvBSXocQog0 ARTIST: Unknown WORK: Organistrum SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg5J1cQs7CM